Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gadi Kinda has been called up by the Israel Men’s National Team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches during the FIFA window in September. The 29-year-old will miss Sporting’s MLS game at Inter Miami CF on Saturday as he travels to Europe for his first national team duty since October 2021.
Kinda’s journey from Ethiopia to Israel
Kinda was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian-Jewish family. At the age of three, he immigrated to Israel with his family and settled in Ashdod. He started playing soccer at a young age and joined the youth academy of F.C. Ashdod, his hometown club.
He made his senior debut for Ashdod in 2011 and stayed with the club for eight years, making 160 appearances and scoring 12 goals. In February 2019, he moved to Beitar Jerusalem, where he scored eight goals in 26 games.
Kinda’s move to Sporting Kansas City
In January 2020, Kinda joined Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. He quickly adapted to the new league and became a key player for Sporting, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 18 games in his debut season.
Following the 2020 season, Kinda was signed permanently by Sporting Kansas City on a multi-year contract. He has continued his impressive form in 2021 and 2023, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 34 games so far. He ranks second in MLS with 0.56 primary assists per 90 minutes.
Kinda missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury that required surgery. He returned to competitive action in April 2023 and has helped Sporting to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Kinda’s international career
Kinda has represented Israel at various youth levels, from under-18 to under-21. He made his debut for the senior Israel national team on June 5, 2021, in a friendly match against Montenegro. He came off the bench in the 73rd minute and scored a stunning long-range goal in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win for Israel.
He made his first start for Israel four days later in a friendly defeat against European powerhouse Portugal. He has earned five caps for Israel so far, most recently competing in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying in October 2021.
Kinda’s Euro 2024 qualifying matches
Kinda is part of an Israel side that is aiming to qualify for the European Championship for the first time since becoming a UEFA member in 1994. Euro 2024 will involve 24 teams, including hosts Germany and the top two finishers across 10 qualifying groups. Another three teams will advance through a playoff round.
Israel currently occupies third place in Group I, three points behind leaders Switzerland and one point behind Romania. Group stage action will conclude in November, followed by the playoff round in March 2024.
Kinda will join his national team for two crucial matches during the September FIFA window. He will face Romania on Saturday at Arena Nationala in Bucharest, Romania. He will then return to Tel Aviv to host Belarus on Tuesday at Bloomfield Stadium.
Kinda will miss Sporting’s MLS match at Inter Miami CF on Saturday as he travels overseas for his national team duty. He is scheduled to return to Kansas City ahead of Sporting’s MLS road game against Minnesota United FC on Sept. 16.
